This is probably true anytime you are away from home, and at the mercy of the 'gimme your money' culture, in our economy that is so sadly based on outstretched hands/greed. Everything we did, except for me going on a walk, required cash. A couple hundred bucks to stay for three nights, plus tickets for two, for three nights at nearly $100 per show, plus we had to eat while we were there. The motel had a complimentary, continental breakfast (that you already read about - testing the limits of compliments and on the edge of the continent as well): Don't do that, don't use this, don't take this away, don't go in here, don't leave that there.
And a notice in the room that said 'you are responsible for dirty dishes'. With another sign under that stating that if you did leave your mess for the housekeeping staff you should expect to be charged an additional $25 for someone else to clean up after your sorry self. Though the sign did not precisely say 'sorry self', I am sure they had more than enough experience to warrant signs posted over every sink, in every kitchenette, in every single room. Which now that I think of it: might not be a terrible idea to post over my own personal sink at home.
But we ate out twice a day, anyway, even though the Quality Inn with debatable 'quality', provided a carb. laden breakfast. And that's not cheap - even in the 'off season', so we probably spent another fifty bucks a day on eating. I was traveling with a man who has always believed in eating a minimum of three meals a day, and now that he is a mostly non-compliant diabetic, usually makes an effort to eat on a mostly irregular schedule, but does put it away at least 3 x day.
So when I asked him if he thought we had had enough fun at some point on Wednesday, he said that even though he did not know if he had reached his 'fun' quota, he felt like he had likely had all the fun he could afford! Which mostly explains why we left SC on Thursday morning, when we had planned all along to return to GA on Friday. Where we parted ways, for him to return home, and me to drive to TN on Friday to spend the weekend.
But, I digress: wanted to tell about what we did for high-priced entertainment while we were visiting Branson-east. We'd heard (or maybe just retelling urban legends, repeating mis-information) that a trip to Myrtle Beach was nearly as good as going to Missouri - plus 'way much closer, so thought that we would give the one that is only eight hours away a try first. Though I readily admit I should have considered it would be another aaaalllll-day long trip in a small space with someone of many concrete opinions, which should have induced me to have had second, third, etc., thoughts.
But we survived. He said he had a good time, and enjoyed his vacation when he put me out in Decatur and headed home. The credit card bill hasn't come yet, so I believe it's true.
Which I will tomorrow, in the next edition that gives you an opportunity to experience Myrtle Beach, not only in the peaceful off-season, but FREE, albeit secondhand...
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